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Zhan S, Ye H, Li N, Zhang Y, Cheng Y, Wang Y, Hu S, Hou Y. Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Multiple Wake-Promoting Agents for the Treatment of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Narcolepsy: A Network Meta-Analysis. Nat Sci Sleep 2023; 15:217-230. [PMID: 37082610 PMCID: PMC10112483 DOI: 10.2147/nss.s404113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Narcolepsy is a rare debilitating disorder for which multiple novel pharmacological options have been approved as treatment for the past few years. The current study systematically updates the comparative efficacy and detailed safety analysis of approved wake-promoting agents in narcolepsy. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched for diagnosed narcolepsy with approved interventions. Efficacy outcomes included the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGI-C), and Patient Global Impression of Change (PGI-C). Safety outcomes including overall adverse event (AE) risk were measured. The study was registered at PROSPERO (CRD 42022334915). Results The final analysis included 17 RCTs with five drug treatments: modafinil/armodafinil, sodium oxybate, pitolisant, solriamfetol, and lower-sodium oxybate (LXB). For efficacy measures, interventions included in each outcome were effective compared with placebo. Furthermore, the magnitude of solriamfetol effect on MWT (9.11 minutes; 95% CI=7.05-11.16), ESS (-4.79; 95% CI=-6.56 to -3.01), and PGI-C (9.39; 95% CI= 2.37-37.19), and LXB effect on CGI-C (9.67; 95% CI=2.73-34.26) was greater than that of other treatments included in each outcome compared with placebo. For safety measures, all interventions had an acceptable safety profile with LXB having least risk for overall AEs (0.56; 95% CI=0.20-1.53), serious AEs (0.33; 95% CI=0.09-1.20), AEs leading to treatment discontinuation (0.11; 95% CI=0.01-2.04), and all-cause discontinuation (0.04; 95% CI=0.00-0.67) compared to placebo. Placebo had the lowest risk for exploratory AEs. Conclusion All approved interventions were effective in controlling the symptoms of narcolepsy at varying degrees with an acceptable safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqin Zhan
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Shuqin Zhan, Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8613801027285, Email
| | - Hui Ye
- Ignis Therapeutics (Shanghai) Limited, Shanghai, 200000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yimeng Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yueyang Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuanqing Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Neurology, People’s Hospital of Rizhao, Rizhao, 276800, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shimin Hu
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Hou
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, People’s Republic of China
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Pharmacological Interventions for Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Adults with Narcolepsy: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11216302. [PMID: 36362535 PMCID: PMC9654433 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11216302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Narcolepsy is a neurological disease characterized by a core symptom of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Although effective pharmacological interventions for narcolepsy have been developed, a lack of comparative evidence supporting the relative efficacy among these medications leads to clinical treatment challenge. Therefore, we performed a network meta-analysis to overcome this lack of head-to-head comparisons. Databases were searched systematically for randomized controlled trials that compared pharmacological interventions for narcolepsy. The primary outcomes were changes in the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT). A random-effects frequentist network meta-analysis was conducted. A total of 19 RCTs involving 2504 patients were included. Solriamfetol achieved the highest ranking based on the P-scores, and was superior to pitolisant (MD −2.88, 95% CI −4.89–−0.88) and sodium oxybate (MD −2.56, 95% CI −4.62–−0.51) for ESS change. Consistently, solriamfetol achieved the highest ranking according to MWT change, and was superior to pitolisant (SMD 0.45, 95% CI 0.02–0.88) and modafinil (SMD 0.42, 95% CI 0.05–0.79). Although solriamfetol demonstrated superior efficacy in EDS improvement, evidence from the clustered ranking plot supported that efficacy–safety profiles of pitolisant, sodium oxybate, and modafinil are more balanced than solriamfetol. Therefore, the choice of medication for EDS in narcolepsy should be made on an individual basis.
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Sarfraz N, Okuampa D, Hansen H, Alvarez M, Cornett EM, Kakazu J, Kaye AM, Kaye AD. pitolisant, a novel histamine-3 receptor competitive antagonist, and inverse agonist, in the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness in adult patients with narcolepsy. Health Psychol Res 2022; 10:34222. [PMID: 35774905 PMCID: PMC9239364 DOI: 10.52965/001c.34222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Narcolepsy is a debilitating sleep disorder that presents with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and cataplexy, which is a sudden paralysis of muscle tone triggered by strong emotions such as laughing. It is also associated with many other disorders, including psychiatric disorders, neurologic illnesses, and medication side effects. Common causes of delayed and incorrect diagnoses of these conditions include lack of physician familiarity with narcolepsy symptoms and comorbidities which mask narcolepsy signs and symptoms. Current pharmacologic therapies include Modafinil and Armodafinil for EDS and sodium oxybate for cataplexy. This review discusses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, presentation, treatment of narcolepsy, and the role of a novel drug, Pitolisant, in the treatment of EDS in adults with narcolepsy. Pitolisant is a histamine-3 receptor (H3R), competitive antagonist, and inverse agonist, acting through the histamine system to regulate wakefulness. It is a novel drug approved in August 2019 by the FDA, is not classified as a controlled substance, and is approved for use in Europe and the United States to treat EDS and cataplexy in narcolepsy. Recent phase II and III trials have shown that Pitolisant helps reduce the ESS score and cataplexy. In summary, based on comparative studies, recent evidence has shown that Pitolisant is non-inferior to Modafinil in the treatment of EDS but superior to Modafinil in reducing cataplexy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noeen Sarfraz
- Department of Psychiatry, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport
| | - David Okuampa
- College of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport
| | - Hannah Hansen
- College of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport
| | - Mark Alvarez
- College of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport
| | - Elyse M Cornett
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport
| | | | - Adam M Kaye
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific
| | - Alan D Kaye
- Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport
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Franceschini C, Pizza F, Cavalli F, Plazzi G. A practical guide to the pharmacological and behavioral therapy of Narcolepsy. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:6-19. [PMID: 33886090 PMCID: PMC8061157 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01051-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Narcolepsy is a rare, chronic, and disabling central nervous system hypersomnia; two forms can be recognized: narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) and narcolepsy type 2 (NT2). Its etiology is still largely unknown, but studies have reported a strong association between NT1 and HLA, as well as a pathogenic association with the deficiency of cerebrospinal hypocretin-1. Thus, the most reliable pathogenic hypothesis is an autoimmune process destroying hypothalamic hypocretin-producing cells. A definitive cure for narcolepsy is not available to date, and although the research in the field is highly promising, up to now, current treatments have aimed to reduce the symptoms by means of different pharmacological approaches. Moreover, overall narcolepsy symptoms management can also benefit from non-pharmacological approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) and psychosocial interventions to improve the patients' quality of life in both adult and pediatric-affected individuals as well as the well-being of their families. In this review, we summarize the available therapeutic options for narcolepsy, including the pharmacological, behavioral, and psychosocial interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabio Pizza
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Cavalli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Plazzi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
- IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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Harwell V, Fasinu PS. Pitolisant and Other Histamine-3 Receptor Antagonists-An Update on Therapeutic Potentials and Clinical Prospects. MEDICINES 2020; 7:medicines7090055. [PMID: 32882898 PMCID: PMC7554886 DOI: 10.3390/medicines7090055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background: Besides its well-known role as a peripheral chemical mediator of immune, vascular, and cellular responses, histamine plays major roles in the central nervous system, particularly in the mediation of arousal and cognition-enhancement. These central effects are mediated by the histamine-3 auto receptors, the modulation of which is thought to be beneficial for the treatment of disorders that impair cognition or manifest with excessive daytime sleepiness. Methods: A database search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and clinicaltrials.gov was performed in June 2020. Full-text articles were screened and reviewed to provide an update on pitolisant and other histamine-3 receptor antagonists. Results: A new class of drugs—histamine-3 receptor antagonists—has emerged with the approval of pitolisant for the treatment of narcolepsy with or without cataplexy. At the recommended dose, pitolisant is well tolerated and effective. It has also been evaluated for potential therapeutic benefit in Parkinson disease, epilepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia. Limited studies have shown pitolisant to lack abuse potential which will be a major advantage over existing drug options for narcolepsy. Several histamine-3 receptor antagonists are currently in development for a variety of clinical indications. Conclusions: Although limited clinical studies have been conducted on this new class of drugs, the reviewed literature showed promising results for future additions to the clinical indications of pitolisant, and the expansion of the list of approved drugs in this class for a variety of indications.
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